just eight days until america goes off the fiscal cliff. with both sides on holiday break, all we're getting is finger pointing. some republicans say the scenario that's unfolding is part of a white house scheme. >> when i listen to the president, i think the president is eager to go over the cliff for political purposes. i think he sees a political victory at the bottom cliff. gets additional tax revenue for new programs, to cut the military which democrats have been calling for for years and blame republicans for it. >> white house correspond respondent brianna keilar traveling live with the president, joins us from honolulu, hawaii. i suspect this is a working vacation for the president. >> it is what of a working vacation. he is always keeping his on eye on things. but there are not a lot of discussions going on. the white house no longer really having any substantive conversations with house speaker john boehner or senate minority leader mitch mcconnell which is key in finding something to get through the senate and perhaps because of